Patents ^ ^ ^ 
Crade marks 

Copyrights ^ 












morrlson % miller, 

Solicitors of Patents, 

Rockfora, • Illinois. 



DEC 8 1897 <'^'\ CONTENTS. 




>jv of Co«>f1J^;a;tents of the united states. 

^ PAGE 

Introduction 3 

Invention 4 

How to Apply for a Patent, Briefly Told , 4 

For what Granted 4 

What a Patent Grants 5 

Who Should Apply : 5 

When to Apply • • • • 5 

The Application 6 

To Whom Issued 8 

The Claims of a Patent 9 

Time Required to Obtain a Patent 10 

Preliminary Examination 11 

Patents for Designs 11 

Marking Articles " Patented," Etc 13 

Reissues 13 

Rejected Applications 14 

Renewal of Allowed Cases. 14 

Caveats : 14 

Copies of Patents 15 

Appeals 16 

Infringement 17 

Trade-Marks 17 

Copyrights 19 

Labels 19 

Assignments .- 20 

Total Cost of Patent, Etc 22 

Attorneys' Fees 23 

How to Send Money ... 23 

foreign patents. 

Foreign Patents as Investments 24 

Canada 25 

Great Britain 26 

France 27 

German Empire 27 

Austria 28 

Spain and Cuba. 28 

Belgium 29 

Italy 29 

Norway 29 

Sweden 30 

Denmark 30 

Holland 30 

Foreign Patent Laws In (reneral 30 

To apply for Foreign Patents 32 



PATENTS 



TRADEMARKS 
« COPYRIGHTS 



A Book of Information and Advice 

FOR INVENTORS. 



MORRISON & MILLER, 

SOLICITORS OF 

AMERICAN AND FOREIGN PATENTS, 

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS IN PATENT CAUSES, 

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS. 



8£C0ND COPV, 



"»i 




1 1 ' 



57282 



COPYRIGHT 1897 
BY 
L L. MILLER, 
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS. 






INTRODUCTION. 



WE present this book to the inventor for the purpose of 
making new acquaintances and renewing and retaining 
old ones. To our old friends and clients, and they are 
many, we need no word of introduction ; the new friends we 
would refer to the old ones, to our past long and successful 
career in Patent Office Practice and before the Courts in Patent 
Causes, promising for the future the same faithful service which 
has won our success in the past. Our extensive experience in 
the matters to which this book relates, together with a careful 
regard for the interests of all our clients, both new and old alike, 
and a diligent attention to the business entrusted to our care are 
among the claims which we urge for your favorable considera- 
tion, believing that you will have no eause to regret the selection 
if we are favored with your business. 

In conclusion, we would state that we are attorneys licensed 
to practice in all the courts, and are regularly registered solic- 
itors and attorneys in the Patent Office. 

MORRISON & MILLER. 



PATENTS. 



INVENTION. 



Invention is a gift, a talent, and like other talents is often 
so much neglected that its possessor does not suspect its pres- 
ence — but it may be cultivated, a careful observation of the com- 
mon things of every day life, and noting where improvements are 
needed, are steps in the right direction. Listen to the complaints 
about the defects of this thing and that, and then attempt to 
obviate the objection. A little study, a little thought, an experi- 
ment, and perhaps you have accomplished it, if not at first, try 
again ; persistent effort will accomplish almost any task, perse- 
vere and you will win success. 

Seldom, perhaps never, did the human brain conceive an 
invention complete in every part, but like the dream of an artist 
it unfolds in shadowy outline upon the canvas of the mind, while 
patient toil and careful study supply the detail and create a har- 
monious whole. 

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PATENT, BRIEFLY TOLD. 

1. Send us sketches or rough model and full descrip- 

tion of invention and remit $2^ 00 

2. Sign and return papers when prepared and sent 

to you by us, and remit the further sum of 20 00 

Total cost of application J45 00 

We will attend to all details, see that your application is 
properly filed in the Patent Office and prosecute it to a conclu- 
sion before the Primary Examiner. 

FOR WHAT GRANTED. 

The statutes of the United States provide that any person 
(and this inclades citizen or alien, man or woman, adult or minor) 

Morrison c*t Miller, 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES 



who has invented or discovered any new and useful art, machine, 
manufacture or composition of matter, or any new and useful 
improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, provided the 
art, machine, manufacture or composition of matter, or useful 
improvement thereof, was not known or used by others in this 
country, and not patented or described in any printed publica- 
tion, in this or any foreign country, before his invention or dis- 
covery thereof, and not in public use or on sale for more than 
two years prior to his application, unless the same is proved to 
have been abandoned. 

WHAT A PATENT GRANTS. 

Patents of the United States confer upon the patentee, his 
heirs and whomsoever he may authorize, the exclusive right to 
make, use and vend the patented invention, throughout the United 
States and the Territories thereof, for the term of seventeen 
years, 

WHO SHOULD APPLY. 

The inventor, if living, must make the application, or, if 
there are two or more inventors of the same invention, all must 
join and one joint patent will issue to all of them. 

If the inventor die before application, his executor or admin- 
istrator must make the application, and the patent will issue 
to such executor or administrator. 

If the inventor die while the application is pending in the 
Patent Office, the death of the inventor should be suggested, the 
appointment of an executor or administrator shown, and the pat- 
ent will issue to such executor or administrator. This is essen- 
tial, as a patent granted to a dead man is void. 

WHEN TO APPLY. 

It is a rule that the law rewards the vigilant, and an 
application for a patent should be filed in the Patent Office as 
soon after the invention is completed as possible, in order to 
avoid the appropriation of the invention and an application for a 
patent thereon by another person, and the attendant expense, 

Rockford, Illinois. 



r 



6 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

delay and trouble of proving priority of invention in an interfer- 
ence proceeding in the Patent OfBce. It certainly costs no more 
to apply at once for the patent, and perhaps a great deal less, 
than to delay the application. 

The law, it is true, allows a term of two years, during which 
the invention may be in public use and on sale, but it is by no 
means advisable to delay for the full time allowed by law. 

By a statute taking effect on January i, 1898, it is provided 
that a patent shall not be refused or declared invalid because the 
inventor, his legal representative, or assigns may have obtained 
a patent in any foreign country, unless more than seven months 
have elapsed between the filing of the application for such for- 
eign patent and the filing of the application for a United States 
patent. 

This statute removes the limitation upon United States 
Patents, which prior to its taking effect, expired with any foreign 
patent having an earlier date, or if there were several prior for- 
eign patents, with the one first expiring. 

THE APPLICATION. 

The Application for a Patent consists of the formal Petition, 
Oath, Specification and Drawings, all of which are prepared by 
us with great care and with special regard to the rules and pro- 
cedure of the Patent OiBce. The inventor should furnish us 
with all the information at hand relative to the operation, pur- 
poses, and special advantages of his invention, in order that the 
papers just mentioned may fully set forth all those points. 
Sketches, or photographs will ordinarily be sufficient to give us 
a complete idea of the construction of the device, but if a model 
is at hand it will materially assist us in thoroughly understanding 
the mechanical construction. Models should be sent to us by 
mail or express, pre-paid, and will be returned as soon as the 
application papers are prepared. 

When the application papers have been prepared by us and 
properly executed by the inventor and the first Government Fee 
and our charges (a total of ^45.00 in ordinary cases) have been 
paid, we file the application in the Patent Office, where it awaits 
its turn for examination in regular order. 

Morrison & Miller, 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



As soon as the appMcation is filed in the Patent Office the 
inventor may mark his invention with the words "Patent Ap- 
plied For " or "Patent Pending," and from the time of such filing 
he is protected against the grant, without his knowledge, of a 
patent for the same invention to another person. 

In due course of business in the Patent Office, the applica- 
tion is reached for examination and is taken up and acted upon 
by the Primary Examiner in whose charge that particular line of 
invention is. The Examiner may allow the applicant's claims on 
the first examination, he may allow a part and reject a part, or 
he may reject all ; citing patents which he holds to anticipate 
applicant's invention as claimed in the specification, or, he may 
give other reasons for such rejection, all of which, reduced to 
writing is transmitted to us by mail, as the rules governing the 
practice of the Patent Office require that all business with that 
office be transacted in writing. 

Upon the receipt of the Examiner's letter, or " action " as it 
is called, we carefully examine the references cited, compare 
them with the invention^et forth in the application, consider the 
objections raised by the Examiner, make any amendments which 
seem proper and necessary, and use our best endeavor to over- 
come the objections urged, and to procure an allowance of the 
patent with the claims to which we believe our client is entitled* 
Our argument in this behalf, in conformity with the rule above 
alluded to, is reduced to writing and forwarded to the Patent 
Office, where it is filed with the application to which it apper- 
tains. After a short time it is reached by the Examiner, 
who again considers the case in the light of our written argument, 
and amendment (if any amendment was necessary) and a second 
" action " is had, wherein new references may be cited and fur- 
ther objections made. This " action " is promptly mailed to us, 
is met by argument or amendment, or both, and returned to the 
Patent Office for another action, and so on, until we obtain the 
allowance of what we consider our client entitled to receive, in 
order to secure to him the most ample protection which can be 
obtained, and, when this is secured, an allowance of the applica- 
tion is taken. The patent will then issue upon the payment of 
the Government final fee of ?20.oo. 

Rockford, Illinois. 



8 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The work involved in the honest and conscientious prepara- 
tion and prosecution of an application is arduous, and great care 
and much skill are required in its proper performance. It is 
much easier to procure a patent, as it is commonly done, having 
only limited claims, but if the inventor is wise he will be careful 
to intrust his business only to those attorneys whose integrity 
and experience insure careful and conscientious work, otherwise 
he may, and probably will, entirely waste his money on a weak 
and worthless patent. 

The work described comes under the head of ** prosecuting 
the application before the Primary Examiner," and is covered in 
all ordinary cases by the attorneys fee of ^25.00, paid when the 
application is filed. 

After the official notice of the allowance of an application 
for a patent by the Patent Office (of which we promptly notify our 
client), applicant may either remit to us the final Government 
Fee of $20,00, to be paid to the Patent Office at once for the im- 
mediate issue of the patent, or he may delay for a period of six 
months from the date of the official notice of allowance before 
paying that fee, during which time the allowed application will 
be held in secrecy in the Patent Office. 

This period of six months gives an opportunity to make ap- 
plication for any foreign patents which the inventor wishes to 
obtain, and permits the foreign patents to be issued in such a 
manner and at such time as not to limit the term of the United 
States patent. 

We will advise particularly and without charge upon this 
point if foreign patents are desired, instructing clients how to 
proceed and assisting them in the selection of the most desirable 
foreign countries in view of the nature of their inventions. 

TO WHOM ISSUED. 

The Government will issue a patent to the inventor, or, if an 
assignment of his interest is of record at or before the time of 
the payment of the government final fee, the patent will be issued 
to such assignee, or, if the assignment be of an undivided inter- 
est instead of the whole, the patent will issue jointly to the inven- 
tor and the assignee according to their respective interests. If 

, . Morrison & Miller, 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 9 

the inventor die during the pendency of the application the pat- 
ent will be issued to his legal representatives. Independent in- 
ventors or those who invent separate and independent improve- 
ments on the same machine cannot obtain a joint patent for their 
separate inventions. In order to be entitled to a joint patent 
they must both contribute ideas to the invention, but if they 
have made independent inventions, each may apply for a patent 
on his separate improvement, receive a separate and distinct pat- 
ent therefor, and if each so desires, assign an undivided interest 
in each patent to the other, thus becoming joint owners of the 
separate inventions. 

If one of two joint inventors applies for and obtains a patent 
on the joint invention, independently of the other joint inventor, 
the patent so obtained is void and has no force in law ; and like- 
wise, if one who has no part in the invention joins with the sole 
inventor and obtains a joint patent on what is in reality the sole 
invention of one only. 

The fact that one person furnishes the capital to complete 
an invention, or pays t^e expenses of obtaining a patent there- 
for, does not constitute him a joint inventor, or entitle him to 
join in the application with the true inventor ; the latter must 
make a separate application and assign the share agreed upon to 
the person who furnishes the capital. 

THE CLAIMS OF A PATENT. 

The claims of a patent are its life and force, and upon their 
breadth and scope its value depends. Each one is practically a 
separate and distinct patent by itself. One of several claims, 
may be infringed, suit may be brought under it, and a judgment 
for damages rendered against the infringer of the single claim. 
Sometimes certain claims of a patent are declared invalid and 
the patent then stands upon the remaining claims, and quite 
frequently licenses to manufacture under one or more of several 
claims are granted, reserving the others to the licensor. 

Claims are construed in the light of the description in the 
specification, and with regard to the state of the art to which the 
invention appertains. 

Rockford, Illinois. 



10 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The rights of the inventor, which it is the duty of the attor- 
ney to secure by suitable claims, are bounded and limited by the 
rights of the public and the rights of prior inventors under unex- 
pired patents. 

If the claims are drawn to protect only a fragment of the 
inventor's rights, that portion which is manifestly his, the Patent 
Office will usually allow such application, the patent will be 
issued, the attorney will have done just enough to secure 
his fee, and, unless the client is experienced in patent matters, 
he probably will be satisfied with the imperfect work ; but there 
is another and better way ; the attorney will claim for his client 
all of the invention, and, while this will necessitate a greater 
amount of labor for both the attorney and the Patent Ofiice, and 
more skill in the discrimination between the exact rights of the 
client and those of other inventors, the patent which will thus 
be obtained, will be commensurate with the scope of the invention 
shown and described. 

It is a rule of construction that everything which is described 1 

in the specification or illustrated in the drawings, and not re- 
served in the claims, is dedicated to the public, and the same is !l 
not covered by the patent. 

Few persons, except patent attorneys, are sufficiently expe- 
rienced to determine whether or not a patent properly covers the 
invention it describes, and the great majority of people must de- 
pend upon the honesty of the attorney employed to conserve 
their interests. Be sure, therefore, to employ only honest and 
skillful attorneys, paying them a reasonable compensation for 
their labor. 

TIME REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A PATENT. 

The work in the Patent Office is divided into thirty-two divi- 
sions, all of which are more or less in arrears with their work, 
the most forward being about a month behind and the most 
tardy between five and six months. 

On this account it is impossible to state, with accuracy, how 
long a time will be necessary to procure an allowance on any 
particular application, especially without knowing in what class 

Morrison & Miller, 




PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 11 

the invention falls. However, we exercise great care in the pre- 
paration of the application papers and promptly attend to corres- 
pondence, which enables us to obtain a patent as quickly as it can 
properly be procured by any one. In this connection it may be 
said that, while we give expedition its proper weight, we do not 
sacrifice the scope and strength of a patent and its claims to 
the matter of the early issuance from the Patent Office. Fre- 
quently a little delay will very materially profit the inventor by 
adding one or more good claims to his patent, and when this can 
be done we would ordinarily advise the delay. 

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION. 

Sometimes the inventor desires to have a special search 
made among the patents, for similar inventions, in the Patent 
Office at Washington, to ascertain if any have already been 
granted which would conflict with his invention or prevent the 
issuance of a patent to him. When such search is ordered, we 
carefully examine the patents in the proper classes and report to 
our client, giving him our opinion and furnishing him with copies of 
the patents which most nearly approach his invention. For this 
search we charge a fee of $5.00. We cannot, however, guarantee 
its accuracy, as there is such a diverse classification of inven- 
tions in the Patent Office, and nearly 600,000 patents are on file in 
the several classes. Caveats and pending applications are held 
in secrecy and cannot be inspected, and foreign patents are some- 
times cited, against all of which care and diligence cannot guard 
in making a search. But we employ as examiners only men 
qualified by age and experience to make careful, conscientious 
searches, and do guarantee to give as thorough a search as can 
be made for the small fee charged. The fee paid for this search 
does not ^pply on the patent fee in any case. 

PATENTS FOR DESIGNS. 

Patents are granted to any person, who by his own industry, 
genius, efforts and expense has invented and produced any new 
and original design for a manufacture, bust, statute, alto-relievo 
or bas-relief ; any new and original design for the printing of 

Rockford, Illinois. 



12 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



woolen, silk, cotton, or other fabrics ; any new and original im- 
pression, ornament, pattern, print, or picture to be printed, 
painted, cast, or otherwise placed on or worked into any article 
of manufacture ; or any new, useful, and original shape or con- 
figuration of any article of manufacture, the same not having 
been known or used by others before his invention or production 
thereof, nor patented nor described in any printed publication. 

Manufacturers in all lines of trade now commonly protect 
their product by both mechanical and design patents, the former 
relating to the mechanical construction and the latter to the con- 
formation or shape of the product. Tools, the frames of ma- 
chines, the peculiar shape or curve of any part, as well as orna- 
mental devices are the proper subjects for design patents. Arti- 
cles of jewelry and the handles for tableware are also common 
subjects for such patents. 

As a design patent relates only to the shape of the article, 
the material of which it is composed, or its uses and purposes, 
have no part therein. 

Design patents are infringed by the manufacture of such an 
imitation of the patented article as would deceive the eye of the 
ordinary purchaser. The law is construed very liberally by the 
courts in favor of the Design patent in infringement suits, and, 
as a result, such patents are employed to give protection to many 
important inventions. 

Design patents are granted for terms of three and one-half, 
seven, and fourteen years, but the inventor must elect which of 
these terms he will take, as the grant once made will not be ex- 
tended from a short term to the longer periods allowed by law. 

The fees for obtaining a Design patent are as follows ; Gov- 
ernment fee, payable on application, for a term of three and one 
half years, Jio.oo ; for seven years, ^15.00 ; for fourteen years, 
^30.00. Our fee is ^25. 00, regardless of the length of the term 
of the patent, and $5.00 for each sheet of official drawings, one 
sheet being usually sufficient to properly illustrate the design. 

If the article is not too large and heavy, it should be sent to 
us for the preparation of the drawings and papers. 



Morrison & Miller, 




PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES 



MARKING ARTICLES "PATENTED" ETC. 

The law provides that all patented articles shall be marked 
with the word " Patented," together with the day and year the 
patent was granted, or, when from the character of the article 
this cannot be done, by affixing to the article, or the package in- 
closing one or more of them, a label containing a like notice. A 
failure to so mark patented articles will prevent the recovery of 
damages, unless it is shown that the defendant was duly notified 
of the infringement and continued after such notice to make, use 
or sell the article so patented. 

After an application for a patent has been filed in the Patent 
Office, the inventor has a right to mark his invention with the 
words '* Patent Applied For," or " Patent Pending," and he is 
usually quite safe in putting the invention upon the market for 
sale when so marked, for, though he cannot sue infringers, stop 
their wrongful manufacture and sale of his invention before his 
patent issues, or collect damages therefor accruing prior to the 
date of his patent, still, as the infringer does not know how soon 
the patent may be issued, and his unauthorized use of the inven- 
tion stopped, he usually does not care to build a business and 
make an investment of capital upon such a poor foundation. 

REISSUES. 

If a patent is inoperative or invalid by reason of a defective 
or insufficient specification or by reason of the patentee claim- 
ing as his invention or discovery more than he had .a right to 
claim as new, a reissue will be granted to the original patentee, 
his legal representatives or the assignee of the entire interest, 
providing the error in the original specification has arisen through 
inadvertance, accident or mistake, and without any fraudulent 
or deceptive intention. 

Such reissue may be obtained by the original patentee, his 
legal representatives or the assigns of the entire interest, but the 
inventor must make the application and make oath to the speci- 
fication for the reissue if he be living. 

A copy of the original patent or its date and number should 
be forwarded to us, together with a statement of the points 

Rockford, Illinois. 



14 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

wherein the patent is defective, and we will examine it with a 
view to the propriety of making application for a reissue. 

We will advise in reissue cases, making only reasonable 
charges, which will be stated and agreed upon before we proceed 
with the work. 

New matter cannot be introduced into a reissue. Any im- 
provement or addition thereto must be the subject of a separate 
patent. 

REJECTED APPLICATIONS. 

We give prompt and special attention to the prosecution of 
rejected or involved cases that have been prepared by the appli- 
cant personally or by other attorneys. 

We will make our charges reasonable in such cases, stating 
the amount thereof before the work is undertaken. 

Our facilities are equal to the best, and we can obtain pat- 
ents if allowable by the Patent Office. 

RENEWAL OF ALLOWED CASES. 

Applications which have been examined and allowed by the 
Patent Office, but in which the final Government Fee of ^20.00 
has not been paid within the time allowed by law, may be re- 
newed, upon the payment of an additional Government Fee of 
^^15. 00, but such renewal must be made within two years after 
the date of the allowance of the original application. We attend 
to the prosecution of renewal applications and charge a reason- 
able fee for the work involved, the amount of which will ordinar- 
ily be agreed upon before the work is undertaken. 

CAVEATS. 

A caveat, under the patent law, is a notice given to the Pat- 
ent Office of the caveator's claim as inventor, in order to prevent 
the grant of a patent to another person for the same alleged in- 
vention, upon an application filed during the life of the caveat, 
without notice to the caveator. 

When an inventor desires further time to perfect his inven- 
tion, yet fears that a patent may be applied for and issued to a 

Morrison & Miller, 



I 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 15 

subsequent inventor, he may file in the United States Patent 
Office, a caveat, which comprises a general description of the in- 
vention, as complete as the circumstances of the case permit, 
with drawings and his oath of invention. Any citizen of the 
United States or any alien who has resided in the United States 
one year preceding the filing of the caveat, and has made oath of 
his intenjtion to become a citizen, may obtain a caveat. 

A caveat is filed in the confidential archives of the Patent 
Office and there preserved in secrecy. It is in force for the term 
of one year, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter. 
If not renewed at the expiration of any term, it is still preserved 
in secrecy in the Patent Office. 

If at any time within one year after the filing or renewal of 
a caveat, another person shall file an application for a patent 
upon an invention which would in any manner interfere with the 
invention set forth in the caveat, then such application will be 
suspended and notice thereof sent to the person filing the caveat. 
Within three months from the receipt of this notice the caveator 
should file his complete application for patent, when his applica- 
tion will be placed in interference with the conflicting applica- 
tion and the question of priority of invention between the two 
inventors settled. The caveat may be used by the caveator as 
evidence of his invention. An article upon which a caveat has 
been filed may be marked with the words " Caveat Filed." It 
does not, however, grant any of the rights which a patent affords, 
and the fees paid to secure the caveat do not apply on patent 
fees. 

The total cost of securing a caveat in ordinary cases is 
;?25.oo, of which $10.00 is the Government Fee, $5.00 fee 
for drawings and ;?io.oo our fee. Send sketches or photographs 
of the invention with full description and fees as above, and we 
will at once prepare the drawings and the papers tor the inven- 
tor's signature. 

COPIES OF PATENTS. 

We can supply copies of patents granted since August 27, 
186 1, and of all drawings belonging to patents issued prior to 
that date, if in print, at the rate of five cents each and the neces- 
sary postage. 

Rockford, Illinois. 



16 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The specifications of patents issued prior to August i, 1861, 
have not yet been printed by the Patent Office, but we will pre- 
pare written copies of any of such patents desired for a reason- 
able charge. 

In ordering copies give the number and date of the patent 
and the patentee's name, and forward the money with the order. 
If you have not the data mentioned we will make a search for 
the patents desired for a reasonable charge. 

APPEALS. 

While we have usually found the Examiners in the Patent 
Office fair and liberal in the allowance of applications for pat- 
ents, there are sometimes cases wherein we deem an appeal 
advisable. An appeal from the final rejection of the Primary 
Examiner lies to the Board of ExaminersinChief. The Govern- 
ment Fee for taking this appeal is Jio.oo. Our fee for taking 
and conducting an appeal and preparing the necessary written 
argument and brief is usually ^15.00. We will advise the amount 
of the charges before undertaking the work. 

From the adverse decision of the Board of Examiners-in- 
Chief an appeal lies to the Honorable Commissioner of Patents 
in person, for taking which a Government Fee of ^20.00 must be 
paid. Our usual fee for this appeal is $25.00. We will state the 
amount of our fee before an appeal is taken. 

The law permits a further appeal by the party aggrieved, 
from the decision of ttie Commissioner to the Court of Appeals 
of the District of Columbia, which appeal is taken and proceed- 
ings had in conformity with the rules of that court. 

As before stated, however, appeals in our practice are 
rather the exception than the rule, and the inventor need not 
ordinarily consider such expense as at all probable in the con- 
duct of his case by us. Not a little depends upon the care be- 
stowed in the preparation of the case before filing, and we aim 
to so prepare the papers that the invention will be clearly under- 
stood in the Patent Office, and the merits of the device will be 
manifest upon even a casual examination. We find that the time 
expended in this direction is profitable to ourselves and is appre- 
ciated by our clients. 

Morrison «& Miller, 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 17 

INFRINGEMENT. 

The rights granted by letters patent are infringed when any 
person unlawfully makes, uses or sells the patented article, pro- 
cess or machine, covered by any one or more of the claims of the 
patent, without the consent of the patentee or owner. The mak- 
ing of a patented article merely to test the sufficiency of the pat- 
ent, to determine if the patented device is operative, with a view 
to improve upon the patented invention, or for other purposes of 
private investigation is not infringement. Likewise it is not in- 
fringement to apply for and take out a patent for an improve- 
ment upon the invention covered by a previous patent, indeed, 
many of the most successful and valuable patents are such. It 
frequently occurs that a slight improvement upon a patented de- 
vice makes an impracticable idea a successful invention. Some 
arrangement can always be made to acquire the right to make 
such a device ; or, perhaps the question of infringement may 
never arise, which is more often the case. 

Our long and extensive practice before the United States 
Courts in infringement matters specially fits us to advise on such 
questions. Our charges will be made reasonable for the time 
and labor necessarily expended. 

TRADE-MARKS. 

Manufacturers and dealers have found it profitable to mark 
or stamp upon their goods certain distinctive words, signs, sym- 
bols, pictures, figures, autographs or monograms, which, being 
attractive to the eye, soon become known to the purchaser and 
the public in general, and goods bearing that peculiar mark are 
preferred and asked for, and thus the mark becomes of great 
value to its owner and its wrongful use by another a great dam- 
age to him as well as a fraud upon the public, which, seeing the 
familiar mark, believes that it is obtaining the goods of the 
person, firm or corporation that originated such distinctive 
mark. Such is a Trade-Mark, and such its object and uses. It 
must not be descriptive of the quality of the article upon which 
it is placed, but fanciful and arbitrary. The name alone of the 
applicant cannot be registered as a trade-mark, but his name 

Ro.ckford, Illinois. 



18 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

with a mark or design, may become the proper subject for trade- 
mark protection. 

The statute provides that an}' person, firm or corporation 
may obtain registration of Trade-Marks in the United States. 
The term of registration is thirty years, and this period may be 
extended for thirty years longer, but application for such exten- 
sion must be made during the six months prior to the expiration 
of the first term of thirty years. 

The registration of a Trade-Mark \?> prima facie proof of the 
ownership of the mark. 

To secure registration of a Trade- Mark, the mark or a sketch 
thereof should be submitted to us, together with the name of the 
owner, his place of residence, place of business and citizenship ; 
the class of merchandise and the particular description of goods 
comprised in such class, to which the trade-mark has been appro- 
priated. When the owner is a corporation, in the State which 
incorporation was had should be named, and the name of its 
President, Secretary or other ofiicer given. When a copartner- 
ship owns a trade-mark the name of each partner should be 
mentioned, with the place of residence of each, and the place 
where the firm has its principal office or place of business. 

It is necessary, under the law, that the trade-mark should 
have been in use in commerce with foreign nations or Indian 
tribes, but this requirement is satisfied by a shipment of a sam- 
ple bearing the trade-mark to a person in Canada or other for- 
eign country, or to an Indian agent. 

The cost of obtaining registration of a trade-mark is $50.00, 
of which $25.00 is the Government fee, $20.00 the attorney's fee, 
and $5.00 the cost of one sheet of drawings. 

We will make a search to ascertain if any particular trade- 
mark is new upon the payment of $5.00. 

A trade-mark is assignable by an instrument in writing, and 
such assignment should be recorded in the Patent Office. 

The laws of the principal foreign countries provide for the 
registration of trade-marks, and the fees for such registration 
are very reasonable. We will be glad to name the cost of such 
protection for any particular country. 

Morrison & Miller, 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 19 

COPYRIGHTS. 

The author, inventor, designer or proprietor of any book, 
map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, engraving, cut, 
print or photograph or negative thereof, or of a painting, draw- 
ing, chromo, statue, statuary, or model or design intended to be 
perfected as works of fine arts, may obtain a copyright thereon. 

No publication of the subject for copyright must be made 
before the application therefor, and a formal legal notice must 
be given of the copyright in every copy published. 

The term of a copyright is twenty-eight years, which may be 
renewed for a further term of fourteen years by the author or 
designer, or his widow or children. 

Copyrights are assignable by a written instrument. Such 
assignment should be recorded in the office of the Librarian of 
Congress within sixty days from its execution. Our charge for 
preparing and recording an assignment of a copyright is ^3.00, 
which includes the recording fee. 

In order to procure a copyright, we must have a sketch of the 
title-page of the book, or the title of the map, chart, composition, 
etc. ; if a periodical, the date and number must be sent. 

No later than the day of the publication, in this country or 
abroad, two complete copies of the best edition of each book or 
other article, must be delivered or deposited in the mail prepaid, 
within the United States, addressed : Librarian of Congress, 
Washington, D. C, to perfect the copyright. 

Penalty labels will be furnished by means of which these two 
copies may be sent free by mail (not express), without limit of 
weight, to the Librarian. 

Our charges for obtaining a copyright are ^3.00. 

LABELS. 

The law provides that labels and prints may be registered 
in the Patent Office. 

A label is a device or representation borne by an article of 
manufacture or vendible commodity, as, for instance, a slip of 
paper affixed thereto, or to the package containing the article, to 
denote the name of the manufacturer, place of manufacture, 

Rockford, Illinois. 



20 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

directions for use, etc. A label cannot be registered if it bears 
a device capable of sequestration as a trade-mark until after such 
device is registered as a trade-mark. 

A print is a device or representation not borne by an article 
of manufacture or vendible commodity, but in some fashion per- 
taining thereto, — such, for instance, as a pictorial advertisement 
thereof. 

Both labels and prints, in order to be entitled to registry, 
must be intellectual productions in the degree required by the 
copyright law, and, like copyrights, must be registered before 
publication or the registration is invalid. 

Registration of labels and prints may be had for a term of 
twenty-eight years. Five copies of the print or label must be 
sent us, to be filed in the Patent Office. 

The recent holdings of the United States Courts have acted 
practically as a bar to the registration of labels, as such, on ac- 
count of the fact that most labels contain the features of trade- 
marks, making it necessary to first register them, as such. A let- 
ter of inquiry, directed to us, submitting the label upon which 
protection is desired, will receive a prompt reply with advice 
upon the point in question and directions how to proceed to 
secure the proper protection. 

The entire cost of obtaining registration for a label or print 
(providing the matter can be registered as such), is ^25.00, which 
sum includes all Government fees. 

ASSIGNMENTS. 

Every patent, or any interest therein, is assignable in law 
by an instrument in writing. The owner of a patent may also 
grant the right to make and use the patented article throughout 
some specified part of the United States, he may mortgage his 
interest in the patent, or license others to manufacture under his 
patent. 

An assignment, grant, mortgage or license should be recorded 
in the Patent Office within three months from its date, in order 
to be valid against any subsequent purchaser or mortgagee, for a 
valuable consideration, who has not had notice thereof. It 

Morrison & Miller, 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 21 



should also be acknowledged before a Notary Public, or other 
officer authorized to take acknowledgments, and the certificate of 
such acknowledgment, under the hand and official seal of such 
officer, will he prima facie evidence of such assignment or other 
conveyance. 

The invention, or any part thereof, may be sold by the inven- 
tor, either before or after his application for a patent, and the 
patent will be granted in accordance with such sale, providing 
the written assignment be filed for record in the Patent Office. 

It is of vital importance that assignment?, grants, mortgages, 
licenses, etc., be drawn with accuracy and skill, and the experi- 
ence of a patent attorney is a valuable safeguard, especially in 
drafting licenses on royalty where there are many points of seem- 
ing insignificance, but which are in reality of considerable, and 
perhaps of vital importance, 

Our fees for preparing assignments, grants and mortages are 
ordinarily $3.00 each, including the recording fees. For prepar- 
ing licenses on royalty and like instruments, and in advising 
therein, our charges will be reasonable for the time and labor 
consumed. 

Send us names and places of residence of the parties, the 
date and number of patent or application, and full particulars, 
together with the fee above named, and, if either an assignment, 
grant or mortgage is desired the papers will be prepared and 
returned immediately for execution ; if a license is wanted it will 
be prepared and the amount of our charges stated. 

Copyrights, Labels and Trade-Marks are assignable by in- 
struments in writing. We will prepare an assignment for any 
one of these, file the same for record and pay the recording fee 
for $3.00. Letters requesting the preparation of assignments 
should instruct us as to the name and place of residence of each 
of the parties to the transaction, a designation by title and num- 
ber of the copyright, label or trade-mark, the interest intended 
to be assigned, and the consideration to be expressed, which lat- 
ter may be the nominal sum of One Dollar as well as the actual 
consideration. A Draft, Express or Money Order covering our 
fee should be inclosed. 

Rockford, Illinois. 



22 PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



TOTAL COST OF PATENT, ETC. 

The following tabular statement of the total cost of patents, 
etc., refers to ordinary cases only. 

PATENT FOR MECHANICAL INVENTION. 

First Government Fee ? 15.00 

Attorneys' Fee 25.00 

Official Drawings (one sheet) 5.00 

Final Government Fee... 20.00 



^65.00 



PATENT FOR DESIGN. 



S}4 Years. 7 Years. 14 Years. 

Total Government Fees ^lo.oo ^15. 00 ;?30.oo 

Attorneys' Fees 25.00 25.00 25.00 

Official Drawings 5.00 5.00 5.00 



0.00 ^45. 00 ?6o.oo 



PATENT FOR COMPOSITION OF MATTER, MEDICAL OR OTHER COMPOUND. 

Government Filing Fee ;?i5.oo 



f- 



Attorneys' Fee 25.00 • 

Government Final Fee 20.00 ^ 

O 



>o.oo 

FILING CAVEAT. 

Government Fee ^lo.oo 

Attorneys' Fee 10.00 

Official Drawings 5.00 



225.00 

REGISTRATION OF TRADE-MARK. 

Government Fee $25.00 

Attorneys' Fee.. 25.00 

Official Drawings.. 5.00 



;g55.oo 

Morrison & Miller, 



i 



PATENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 23 

ATTORNEYS' FEES. 

In ordinary cases, our fees will be as follows : 

For preparing, filing and prosecuting application for me- 
chanical patent, design patent, patent for composition 
of matter, or medical or other compound, before Pri- 
mary Examiner J25.00 

Note. This fee of $25.00 for ordinary applications is, in the great majority of 
cases, the only fee to be paid to us, and, unless interference is declared, appeal is 
necessary, or other extraordinary matters arise, this fee, together with the Official 
drawings and first Government fee are the only expenses until the patent is 
allowed by the Patent Office. See *' Total Cost of Patent, etc.," page 22. 

For preparing and filing application for Trade-Mark ?25.oo 

For preparing and filing Caveat 10.00 

For preparing and recording Assignment. 3.00 

For securing Copyright 3.00 

For Official Drawings, per sheet 5.00 

For Appeal to Board of Examiners 15.00 

For Appeal to Commissioner 25.00 

For Preliminary Examination 5.00 

When the work involved requires a greater charge we will 
notify clients before the work is undertaken, and, where it is 
possible, will state the exact amount thereof. 

HOW TO SEND MONEY. 

In sending money to us use Chicago draft, certified check, 
money order, or express order. These insure almost absolute 
protection to the sender. By using them there is practically no 
chance for the loss of the money remitted. 



Rockford, Illinois. 



FOREIGN PATENTS 



AS INVESTMENTS FOR AMERICAN INVENTORS. 

We are frequently asked by our clients, when procuring 
domestic patents, as to the advisability of securing patents upon 
their inventions in foreign countries, and, by our researches, have 
become somewhat familiar with the conditions existing in the 
principal foreign countries of the world. 

Of course no general rule can be laid down which will be 
applicable alike in all cases ; some inventions which, perhaps, 
are valuable in this country, are not adaptable to the conditions 
existing in any other country, while other inventions might find 
their most profitable field in foreign lands. 

American inventors are known for their ingenuity, and Amer- 
ican machinists for their skill and accurate workmanship through- 
out the world. That an invention or machine comes from the 
United States is, in itself, a recommendation, and affords a rea- 
son for its preference ; for all nations recognize that American 
genius stands at the head in the world's sharp competition. 

An inventor is not usually taking great risks in obtaining the 
patents of a number of the principal foreign countries, for he 
can almost certainly sell the patents for more than their cost, 
and, if the invention proves of considerable value, a few foreign 
patents will add greatly to his income and will bring him hand- 
some returns upon their sale. 

It is true the question upon Foreign Patents arises when the 
invention is yet new, and before an opportunity to test its sala- 
bility in the home market has been had ; but our experience and 
facilities will be turned to the assistance of our clients, and we 
can usually advise, at least after an investigation, in what coun- 
tries it would be most profitable to secure patent protection. 

In some of the foreign countries a valid patent may be taken 
out after the United States Patent is issued, while in others the 

Morrison & Miller, 



FOREIGN PATENTS. 25 



publication attendant upon the issue of the patent in this country 
precludes a valid patent in such foreign country. 

We mention below some of the most important foreign coun- 
tries giving the substance of their patent laws. 

CANADA. 

Canada is one of the most important as well as the most con- 
venient foreign country for the United States inventor. It lies 
so near our borders, and its people, in custom and habit, are so 
nearly like ours, that usually a patent that finds a ready market 
here will meet with an active demand in the Dominion. The 
term of the Canadian patent, also, is favorable, being eighteen 
years, and the cost for procuring it not excessive. Payment of 
the Canadian Government fee is permitted to be made in three 
equal installments due at intervals of six years, which permits 
the inventor to test the success of his invention before investing 
the fee for the full term^of eighteen years. 

The laws of the Dominion follow quite closely the laws of 
our own country. The territory covered comprises the Provinces 
of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince 
Edwards Island, Manitoba and British Columbia. 

The entire expense for applying for a Canadian patent for a 
term of six years is J50.00 for the ordinary case, and this in- 
cludes our charges and the Government fees for the six year term. 
Renewals of this term may be had by the owner of the patent 
upon the payment of ^25. 00 for a further six years, and this term 
is subject to another six year extension upon the payment of a 
like sum. If the inventor prefers to take out a patent for the 
complete term of eighteen years the cost will be Jgo.oo including 
our charges and the Government fees for the full term. 

The application for a Canadian patent must be filed within 
one year from the date of issue of the United States or other 
foreign patent. 

If an inventor in the United States is at all certain that he 
will want a Canadian patent he should, within three months fol- 
lowing the date of issue of his United States patent, apply for 
Provisional Protection, in Canada, or make application for his 

Rockford, Illinois. 



26 FOREIGN PATENTS 



Canadian patent, otherwise, any one who commences the manu- 
facture of his invention in the Dominion, may continue to do so, 
notwithstanding a patent may b*^ subsequently obtained by the 
inventor. • 

Provisional protection for one year against the rights of 
others to manufacture may be procured at a cost of ?5.oo, 
which includes our charges and the Government fees. 

During the first year of the patent the owner thereof may 
import the patented articles, manufactured in the United States, 
but in order to continue such importation, for a further year per- 
mission must be indorsed on the patent. We attend to having 
this done for a moderate charge. When the first year, or any 
extension of the period for importation has expired manufacture 
of the patented article must be commenced in Canada^, but the 
extension of the period for importation may be had for a third 
year if some good reason can be shown therefor. We will attend 
to such extension for a reasonable charge. 

Caveats under the Canadian patent law are very similar to 
ours. The total cost of filing a caveat in the Dominion is ^20.00. 

GREAT BRITAIN. 

British patents are granted for a term of fourteen years, 
and if dated on or after January i, 1884, are not limited by the 
earlier expiration of foreign patents. 

British patents cover England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales 
and the Isle of Man, not extending, however, to the Channel 
Islands or to the British Colonies or dependencies. 

Letters Patent of Great Britain are granted on the allega- 
tion of the applicant that the invention is new, no examination 
being made by the Government, but if such allegation is not 
true, the patent may be declared invalid in the courts, as, if 
prior to the application for a patent the invention had been pat- 
ented in Great Britain, or had become publicly known in that 
country. 

The inventor, alone or with others, may apply for and ob- 
tain a patent, though he has no assignable rights in the invention 
until -patent is issued to him. If the inventor die, before 

Morrison & Miller, 



FOREIGN PATENTS. 27 



applying for a patent, his . legal representative may make the 
application, if made within six months after his decease. 

The expense of applying for a British patent is ^50.00, which 
includes our charges and all fees and taxes for the term of the 
Provisional Protection, a period of nine months. 

A second installment of ^50. 00 is necessary to be paid to us 
in time to be transmitted to London during the nine months, 
which provides complete protection, and the patent will then be 
issued to the inventor. The payment of the above mentioned 
sum of ;?ioG.oo may be made at the outset, and the danger of the 
lapsing of the patent for non-payment of the fees will thus be 
avoided. 

At the end of the fourth year a tax of $30.00 is payable, in- 
creasing $5.00 annually. The patent, though granted for a 
term of fourteen years, ceases if any tax is not duly paid. 

No working of the invention is required. No model is 
necessary in the application. 

FRANCE. 

A French patent covers France and all her colonies. The 
term of the patent is fifteen years, and cannot be extended ex- 
cept by act of Parliament. The term is limited to expire with 
that of a prior foreign patent, or the one having the shortest 
term, if there be several. 

Ordinarily only the inventor should apply for the patent. 

The patent is issued about four months after application, 
though the term begins to run on the date of filing the applica- 
tion papers. 

There is no examination in the French Patent Office to 
ascertain if the invention is new, and no model is required. 

The cost of secaring a French Patent is $100.00, which 
covers all expenses and Government taxes for the first year. 
L_^ Application must be made before the invention has been 
fully published in France or elsewhere. 

GERMAN EMPIRE. 

The term of a German Patent is fifteen years. It covers 
all the German States, including Prussia, Saxony, Baden, 
Bavaria, Hanover and Wurtemburg, The application must be 

Rockford, Illinois. 



28 FOREIGN PATENTS. 



made before the issue of the United States Patent, or before 
publication of the invention is made in any printed publication, 
or it is publicly used in Germany. 

The examination as to the novelty of the invention in the 
German Patent Office is quite strict. 

Patents for additions may be had. These are intended to 
cover improvements on the original patented invention. 

The cost of a German Patent is ordinarily ^loo.oo and this 
sum includes the first year's Government tax. 

THE ** USEFUL MODEL" PATENT. 

This patent is intended to cover inventions of a minor kind. 
Its term is six years and its cost ^90.00, including all taxes. If 
the applicant desires, $65.00 may be paid when application is 
made andJ525.oo as a renewal fee before the expiration of the 
third year of the patent. 

In view of the rigid examination made by the German Pat- 
ent Office, it is often advisable to apply for the two kinds of 
patents together, and if the first for the longer term will not be 
granted, the second for a term of six years may almost always be 
had. The expense for such double application is not greatly in 
excess of the amount required for the regular fifteen years patent. 

AUSTRIA. 

Austrian patents are granted for a term of fifteen years, 
but will expire with the expiration of prior foreign patents 
having a shorter term. 

Application should be made before the invention is pub- 
lished or used in the Austro-Hungarian dominions. 

The total cost of an Austrian patent, including all expenses 
and Government taxes for one year, is J^ioo.oo. The invention 
must be worked within one year from the date of the patent in 
order to maintain the patent in force. 

SPAIN AND CUBA. 

Spanish patent cover Spain and all her colonies, and are 
granted for a term of twenty years, if application is made while 
the invention is unknown in the Spanish dominions, but, if the 
invention is publicly known in such dominions, and a patent has 

Morrison & Miller, 



FOREIGN PATENTS. 29 



been obtained in other countries, the patent will have a term of 
only ten years, and it must be applied for within two years after 
obtaining the foreign patent. In event more than two years have 
elapsed the Spanish patent will be issued for a term of five years. 

The application may be made and the patent will issue to 
the inventor, or to other persons or to a company or firm. 

A small annual tax is levied on the patent. 

The total cost for obtaining the patent including a first 
annual tax is ^loo.oo. 

BELGIUM. 

Belgiam patents are granted for a term of twenty years, but 
will expire with a prior foreign patent, if any there be, having 
the longest term, not the shortest term as is the usual provision. 

The inventor, or his assig;nee, or the executor, administrator 
or heir of either, may apply for the patent. 

The patent law of Belgium is substantially the same as that 
of France. A patect may be had in Belgium even after a foreign 
patent has been issued, if the invention has not already been 
worked or made publicly known in Belgium. The cost of a Bel- 
giam patent is J80.00. 

ITALY. 

The term of an Italian patent is fifteen years, but it expires 
with any prior foreign patent or with the foreign patent having 
the longest term, if there are several. A valid patent in Italy 
can be obtained if the invention has not been made known abroad 
or worked or imported into Italy. Publication by patent author- 
ities of other countries, as in the Patent Office Gazette, will not 
invalidate such patent. The inventor or his assignee may apply 
for and obtain a patent. 

The expense of obtaining an Italian patent is ^100.00, which 
includes the Government fee for the first year. A small annual 
tax is assessed upon the patent. 

NORWAY. 

The term of a Norwegian pateat is fifteen years. The in- 
ventor or his assignee may apply for and obtain a patent. 

Rockford, Illinois. 



30 FOREIGN PATENTS 



A valid patent may be obtained if the invention is not suffici- 
ently well known to be practiced by others. Working of the 
patent must be proved within three years. 

A patent may be applied for in Norway at any time within 
six months after the date of a foreign patent. The cost of this 
patent is ^90.00. 

SWEDEN. 

The term of a Swedish patent is fifteen years. The inven- 
tor or his legal representatives may apply for the patent. 

Such a published description of the invention, anywhere in 
the world, as will enable it to be put into practice will invalidate 
the patent, if such publication is made before application for the 
patent, but the publication by foreign patent authorities will not 
invalidate, if the application is made in Sweden within six 
months after such publication. The cost of a Swedish patent 
is ^go.oo. 

DENMARK. 

The term of a Danish patent is fifteen years and is inde- 
pendent of the life of prior foreign patents, but cannot be validly 
obtained if the invention has been thoroughly described in a 
printed publication, or used in Denmark previous to the applica- 
tion. Only the inventor or his assignee may apply for and 
obtain the patent. The cost of a Danish patent is S90.00. 

HOLLAND. 

The laws of Holland do not provide for the granting of pat- 
ents, therefore no patents are issued by that government. 

FOREIGN PATENT LAWS IN GENERAL. 

In some few particulars the patent laws of foreign nations 
differ quite widely from those of the United States, and for a 
more complete understanding of the subject, the following may 
be of assistance: 

The patent privilege, though substantially the same in legal 
effect as ours, is divided, in most foreign countries, into the fol- 
lowing classes: 

Morrison & Miller, 



FOREIGN PATENTS. 31 



First. Patents of Invention, which are the same as those 
granted by our own country, Canada and Great Britain. 

Second. Patents of Importation, which are practically the 
same in every respect as Patents of Invention, but denote that 
the particular invention, the subject of the patent, has been 
previously patented in some other country, and, usually, that the 
Patent of Importation will expire with that previous patent. 

It is ordinarily immaterial, however, whether the inventor 
asks for a Patent of Invention or Importation, when he already 
has a foreign patent, as the laws of most of the countries provide 
that, either kind of patent shall expire with the expiration of a 
prior foreign patent, or, if there are several, at the expiration of 
the one having the shortest term. 

Third. Patents of Addition or Improvement are granted 
only to the patentee in a Patent of Invention or Importation, for 
some improvement or addition to the invention covered by the 
principal patent. 

As a general rule Patents of Addition are subject to no yearly 
or other taxes. They usually expire with the principal patent 
and serve a great convenience in permitting a patentee, from 
time to time, to protect any minor improvement he may make, at 
a less expense than for a new patent. 

EXPIRATION OF PATENTS. 

The laws of most of the foreign countries provide that the 
patents of such country shall expire with the expiration of a prior 
patent for the same invention, obtained by the same patentee, in 
any country, and, if there be prior patents in several different 
countries, with the patent having the shortest term. In some 
countries, however, as Belgium and Italy, patents expire with the 
foreign patent having the longest instead of the shortest term. 

WORKING. 

The putting of the invention into practice within the country 
granting the patent, is required by the laws of certain foreign 
countries, but this "working," as it is called, may be done in a 
formal way at a small expense in nearly all the countries, and the 
law is thereby satisfied. 

Rockford, Illinois. 



32 FOREIGN PATENTS. 



TAXES. 

In most of the foreign countries a small tax is imposed upon 
patents ; in some, the tax is payable annually, while in others it 
is not levied until after several years of the life of ttie patent 
have elapsed. 

INFRINGEMENT. 

The use of the patented invention by any person other than 
the patentee or one authorized by him, is, by law, severely pun- 
ished in almost all of the foreign countries, usually by fine, but 
in some countries by forfeiture of property or imprisonment. 

TRADE-MARKS. 

The principal foreign countries provide by law for the regis- 
tration of Trade-Marks, the fees therefor being quite moderate. 

In the case of simple inventions this is sometimes adopted 
as the mode of securing protection, instead of taking out patents 
on the invention. 

We will name the cost of Trade-Mark protection in any coun- 
try granting it, upon request. 

DESIGNS. 

Designs are registered in many of the principal foreign coun- 
tries, though usually for short terms, but at a low cost. The 
subject-matter protected by design patents abroad is substantially 
the same as in the United States. 

The term and cost of a design patent in any country grant- 
ing such protection will be mentioned upon request. 

TO APPLY FOR FOREIGN PATENTS. 

Notify us what countries are desired, and we will at once 
send the necessary papers for the proper signatures, together 
with full directions as to their execution. Send also date and 
number of United States Patent on the invention, or date and 
number of application, if still pending in the Patent Office, and, 
if no patent has been issued or application made, send full de- 
scription and drawings of the invention, as full as would be neces- 
sary to prepare an application for a United States patent. We 
will attend to all details. 



REFERENCES: 

The Winnebagfo National Bank 

Of Rockford, Illinois. 

The Mercantile Agency of 
R. G. Dun & Co. 

The Commercial Agency of 

The Bradstreet Co. 
Rockford Silver Plate Co., 

Rockford, 111. 

Burson Manufacturing Co., 

(Automatic Knitting Machinery.) 
Rockford, 111. 

Air Brush Manufacturing. Co., 

Rockford, 111. 

Stover Manufacturing. Co., 

Ereeport, 111. 

Chicago-Rockford Hosiery Co., 

Kenosha, Wis. 

The Geo. Warren Co., 

Warrens, Wis. 

Piano Harvesting Machine Co., 

West Pullman (near Chicago), 111. 



THEO. W. CLARK CO.^ PRINTERS:, ROCKFORD^ ILL. 




LIBRARY OF CO 




NGRESS 




019 973 370 9 



/ 



morrlson $ miller, 

Solicitors of 

JTmerican and fm\m Patents, 
Jlffomys and Counselors in Patent Causes, 

124 South main Street, 

RocRford. * Tllinois. 



4 I 






ii! 



I 



Preserve tliis book for fiitinv reference. l^erJiaps you do not 
need it today, but tomorrow you may have an inventive idea and 
then you willwautit. A postal will bring a copy to any address. 
Will you kindly suggest to us the names and addresses of a few 
inventors or other persons interested? ♦ .^ 



